Hello! First post, so I thought I'd introduce myself. I am an off-road fanatic, so I am used to spending much more time in the garage and on the forums, than actually driving my vehicles! I have been dating a girl now for over 3 1/2 years, whom owns this 72 Cutlass. Ever since I have been with her, the car just sits and bakes in the sun and rots in the weather. I finally couldn't take it any more, so rather than dumping her (lol) I decided it was time for her to take some interest! I just built a garage (was supposed to be for my off-road projects) but now sits the Cutlass in my spot!

It is the "S" model, with a 350 Rocket. 130k on the clock, and my gal got it from the original owner!

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We have never done a classic car restoration, so this is pretty much a whole new world to us. The car is mechanically in amazing shape! Interior is faded and rotted, paint is no good, and some rust on the body from sitting outside. Engine and trans work very well! She still fires right up. It does have a little bit of a sputter with quick changes in throttle.

The plan is to keep it pretty much original, and make it a nice Sunday car! We are thinking black vinyl top with the original orange color, and converting the interior to black as well. New wheels / tires, and touch up the trim. We will see where it goes from there!

Ultimatly the hope for the near future is to get it safe for the road again. Any starting-off suggestions? So far we have a new radiator, and just put a new starter on it. we will do the obvious, such as fluids, brakes, drive-line, etc...

We look forward to researching the forum, and giving this beast a second chance at life! Thanks for welcoming us to your community!

 

Welcome to the site! It looks like you've got a good platform to start with! I'd do the safety stuff first, brakes as you said but then check out the steering and front suspension. After that's done you can start driving it and enjoying the project as you work on it. The next steps are up to you, but I'd encourage you to make a plan including how much funding you have available to put into it. There's a couple real good threads in the major build sections of members restoring cars similar to yours. You can get some ideas on what it will take to restore the different componets on your car.


John

 

Good looking Olds , it looks to be in great condition . Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome aboard!!! There are lots of people here that are eager to help and give some sound advice. Looks like a pretty straight and solid foundation from which to start. Keep us posted on the progress of the "OLD" girl----the other one is YOUR business!!!

 

looks like a solid car. what kind of off roading do you do? i see a utility 4 wheeler in the background. i retired from 3 and 4 wheeler riding & racing. 31 years of it.

 

When you do the brakes don't overlook a front wheel bearings!! Looks like a good solid start, welcome!

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome! We are very anxious to get started. We looked at some paint codes, and talked to my buddy who is set up to do the work. Just a matter of starting to strip her down, the "OLD" girl that is!! Going to keep the OEM "Orange Flame" color.

Very nice! Racing 3 wheelers though!? cheers to that! Myself, I am more into 4x4, as in jeeps. I have a 97 Cherokee that I am sort of in the middle of building a new drive-tran for; lockers, gears, t-case,... etc. It is currently my DD, so its a very slow moving project. The quad in the background is a Can-Am Outlander, 400. Its pretty nice, much different than when I used to ride sport ATVs, never raced though.

 

Hey welcome to the best Olds forum on the web !! Lots of great ppl on here with the knowledge of THE OLDS brand ,and the nice thing is they give it out freely !!!
I picked up a 72 F85 last month and worked away on it to get it to the point of being safetied and insured so I can drive it ,unless you want to restore ,because there is only
6 bolts holding the body to the frame (re-oldzzy !!)